Major delays expected along Interstate 470 beginning late next week. Here’s why

[Editor’s note: Since publication, the Missouri Department of Transportation changed its timeline for bridge-repair work on Interstate 470. This article has been updated to reflect those changes.]

Interstate 470 will be reduced to two lanes in each direction and shifted to the westbound side beginning next week to accommodate rehabilitation work on bridges at Little Blue River, Cedar Creek and View High Drive.

Work is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. on Feb. 21 — a change from the originally scheduled start date of Feb. 22 — as crews shift the eastbound I-470 traffic to the westbound side between Pryor Road and Blue Ridge Boulevard.

The traffic crossover, which will reduce I-470 to two lanes in each direction with narrow shoulders, will remain in place through late April and is expected to significantly increase commute times along that corridor. Motorists are strongly urged to plan ahead or find alternate routes.

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Two lanes of westbound I-470 will be closed from 8 p.m. on Feb. 21 until 5 a.m. on Feb. 22 for removal of striping. All lanes will reopen for rush hour.

The westbound on-ramp at View High Drive will close at 8 p.m. on Feb. 22 and remain closed for the duration of the project. Crews also will close two lanes of westbound I-470 at that time for pavement marking of the pending lane shifts.

One lane will reopen at 5 a.m. on Feb. 23, leaving only two lanes for rush hour.

Crews will then close two lanes of east- and westbound I-470 at 8 p.m. on Feb. 23 until 5 a.m. on Feb. 26 for barrier wall and striping work. Only one lane will be open in either direction during the weekend.

At 5 a.m. on Feb. 26, two lanes will be opened in each direction, the traffic configuration that will remain until the project is complete.

All ramps to View High Drive, except the ramp off westbound I-470, will be closed during construction.

The work, which is all weather permitting, is part of an extensive I-470 bridge rehabilitation project from the Three Trails Crossing to I-70 and will impact traffic significantly through November 2018.

Coldwater benefit Winterfest returns

Coldwater of Lee’s Summit’s annual Winterfest fundraiser is set for 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 24 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Independence.

This year’s event features a casino theme with 18 tables featuring different games of chance. Every guest will receive a program that explains the games and how to participate for prizes.

There also will be a silent auction before the evening ends with a Piccadilly auction. Prizes will include trips, recreation, entertainment, electronics, jewelry, Coach purses and even a hot air balloon ride.

“We have planned a night of fun for the community that puts in so many hours of hard work caring for others,” Coldwater Executive Director Monica Humbard said in a release. “We know that many of our volunteers work full-time or go to school all day and then spend their afternoons, days off or weekends helping with our food pantry and clothes closet, weekend backpack program, Summer Lunches and BBQs and/or processing incoming donations. We appreciate their almost 7,000 hours of service in 2017 and want them to enjoy an evening of fun, while we raise the necessary funds to continue that work.”

Hereford House will cater heavy hors d’oeuvres and dessert during the evening. Guests also will get to hear exciting news about the future of Coldwater and how they can be a part of it.

Tickets for the event are $50 per person. Tables, which seat 10 people, also are available along with sponsorships. To register or learn more about sponsorships, go to tinyurl.com/ColdwaterWinterfest2018, call the office at 816-786-0758 or visit the website at www.coldwater.me.

Proceeds from Winterfest benefit Coldwater programs. The nonprofit’s initiatives include the Friends Day Food Pantry and Clothes Closet every second and fourth Saturday of the month as well as other free programs to feed and clothe the needy in Lee’s Summit.

Feed drive benefits Owl Hollow

Owl Hollow Farm in Lone Jack received a check for $380 after a six-week feed drive hosted by Family Center Farm & Home in Harrisonville, Butler and Paola, Kan.

Co-sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition, a donation of $1 dollar was made to Owl Hollow Farm for every bag of Purina Equine Senior horse feed sold at Family Center’s three locations during the drive.

Kimberly Lightfoot, who manages the Family Center Farm & Home store in Harrisonville, said in a release that Owl Hollow Farm received the donation “because of their positive influence in the community and the work they do to rehabilitate and re-home horses in need.”

Bob and Cathy White founded Owl Hollow Farm’s rehabilitation program for rescue horses in 2010.

Currently, there are 20 horses on the farm, which serves 65 children annually with two free 10-week programs that teaches basic horse care while imparting independence, responsibility and self-awareness.

Hockey players to coach charity dodgeball event

Each team is permitted five to eight players and will be coached by a member of the Mavericks. Teams cost $99 with 25 percent of proceeds going toward cancer research.

There will be round-robin pool play before a single-elimination tournament to determine the champion, which will be a night in Sky Zone Lee’s Summit’s Ice Box suites. Prizes also will be presented for Dodgeball MVP, best team name and best uniforms.

Check-in starts at 5:30 p.m., with a rules briefing at 6 p.m. before play begins at 6:45 p.m.

For more information, contact Kati Godin at Kati.Godin@skyzone.com. Sky Zone Lee’s Summit is located at 2801 N.E. McBaine Drive in Lee’s Summit.

Garden Club meets next month

The Lee’s Summit Garden Club’s next meeting is March 13.

A program on Water Gardening will be presented by Karen Fiske from 7 to 9 p.m. at Winters Park Community Center, 2505 S.W. Wintercreek Drive in Lees Summit.